Home Depot to Hire 70,000 for Spring Boom

by InvestorPlace Staff | January 12, 2012 2:20 pm

Global home improvement retailing giant Home Depot (NYSE:HD[1]) on Thursday announced it has begun recruiting for 70,000 seasonal positions to help with the 2012 spring rush. And best of all, for job seekers, it could lead to something more permanent.

Tim Crow, executive vice president for human resources, said in a release, “A seasonal job at The Home Depot can often lead to a regular position if you’re passionate about customer service.” According to the company, more than half of Home Depot’s 2011 seasonal hires stayed on in permanent positions.

For home improvement retailers, including competitor Lowe’s (NYSE:LOW[2]) spring season is much like traditional retailers’ holiday seasons, with many of their outdoor product rollouts — and bargains — coming out in time for consumers to gear up for warmer weather. Home Depot says it will begin the spring season with “door-buster” prices on products such as live goods, gardening products, patio furniture and grills.

Home Depot said prospective employees can apply at www.Careers.HomeDepot.com[3]. Hiring will commence during the next several weeks.

HD shares were down less than half a percent Thursday but are up 3% year-to-date and almost 25% over the past 52 weeks.